The Dog Days of Christmas

How The Queen Banned Kate and William's Dog Lupo from The Royal Christmas

Ikon Pictures./Rex

In his first interview after becoming a father, Prince William said: “Catherine, and now little George, are my priorities. And Lupo.”

It seems however that the Queen does not share her gransson’s high regard for his cocker spaniel. For a source tells the Sunday Telegraph that little Lupo was banned from the Royal family’s festive celebrations at Sandringham this year.

“The Queen made it clear that Lupo was not on the guest list,” a source told the paper. “The Duchess is especially fond of the puppy and was sad that he could not accompany them. He had to sit it out at her parents’ home in Berkshire.”

Personally, I am with the Queen on this one. Other people’s dogs are, on the whole, a pain in the royal backside.

And also, no doubt, she was keen not to have to endure a repeat of the drama last year when the Queen’s corgis attacked and bit Max, Princess Beatrice’s Norfolk terrier, who nearly lost an ear in the fight.

However, it may just be the Queen’s revenge for comments Prince William made about the corgis in an interview to mark the diamond jubilee, when he questioned the noise the corgis make, saying, “They’re barking all the time. I don’t know how she copes with it."